Storm today and storm 30 years ago

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, January 21, 2008

Talk about coincidences.

Much of Michigan was shut down 30 years ago this week with the Blizzard of 1978. Now Midland County and surrounding areas are digging out from yet another snowstorm.

Karen Clark, meteorologist with the National Weather Service's White Lake Township office, said Bay City and Saginaw reported 6 to 8 inches of snow last night. Clark estimated Midland County was hit by 5 to 8 inches.

And while it seemed to be tapering off this morning, more snow is on the way. Scattered snow showers, with a high temperature of 4 to 8 and a windchill of 10-below, are expected tonight. There is a 60 percent chance of 1 to 2 inches of more snow on Wednesday.

Karen Murphy, City of Midland Department of Public Services director, said crews have been working through the night.

"We have a 24-hour snow watch response," she said. "We call in employees as conditions warrant."

She said today's snow plowing will concentrate on priority routes - major streets, the hospital zone, state trunklines, bridges and overpasses. She said crews have salted some of the major intersections, but are focusing on snow plowing.

"If all goes well, we will be able to go into the residential areas this evening," Murphy said.

"It always helps our snow removal effort if people do not park on the street," she continued.

Murphy said plowing the residential streets will follow the order of refuse pick-up. For example, a street with refuse pickup scheduled for Wednesday will be plowed before a street with refuse pickup scheduled later in the week.

Officials at both the Midland County Sheriff's Office and Midland Police Department said snowfall hasn't yet caused any major accidents.

Midland Police Deputy Chief Bob Lane said drivers tend to be more cautious in heavy snow, but speeds increase after the roads are plowed and motorists forget about the ice underneath the snow.

"That's when he have more problems," he said.

Lane also said the closing of area schools would help lessen the amount of accidents by lowering the day's traffic volume.

Northwood University's main campus is closed and classes have been canceled. Davenport University classes are in session as scheduled.

Other services also have been affected by the storm. Pat Wilson, executive of Senior Services, said, "The main office is open, centers are closed. Home-delivered meals will not operate. Seasons Adult Day Care is open, with transportation running as it can."

Still, this doesn't compare to 1978 - that storm was one of the worst on record, with 20 counties left on red alert because of 10-foot snowdrifts and 60 mph winds.

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